The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Gaming Commission of Ghana, Lamtiig A. Apanga, has criticised former Vice President and 2028 New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, for not participating in the recently held two-day National General Cleaning Exercise.

The exercise, held on July 10 and 11 across seven regions affected by recent devastating floods, formed part of the government’s measures to address flooding challenges and improve sanitation.

President John Dramani Mahama and Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang took part in the exercise in parts of Accra, where they joined residents and state officials in cleaning activities.

Speaking on Accra-based Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily programme on Tuesday, July 14, Apanga said Dr Bawumia’s absence from the exercise showed a lack of leadership at a time when public figures were expected to lead by example.

“We have seen leadership by example clearly where the president himself not just toured one or two places and went, but he was actually in the trenches with the people. The president was out there encouraging and motivating agencies and personnel, going down to help himself holding the shovel,” he said.

“If the clean-up by the president and the call by the president for the cleanup was a good thing to be done, we did not see Bawumia anywhere near it. He never showed up and actually participated in the cleanup exercise. Who is leading the NPP? Bawumia is leading the NPP. Bawumia did not show leadership when it mattered,” he added.

Mr. Apanga argued that the exercise was not merely about visibility but about demonstrating commitment to addressing a national challenge.

The legal practitioner also expressed concern about the continued presence of pockets of waste in some communities and called on metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies to intensify sanitation efforts ahead of possible future rains.

He added that addressing flooding and waste management requires a long-term and integrated approach.